UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State DuBois Athletic Director Ken Nellis was awarded the 2026 Robert J. Scannell Roll of Honor in May at the PSUAC Baseball and Softball Championships. The Scannell Award is presented annually to an administrator, coach, faculty member or staff member who has contributed significantly to the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) and their campus.
Nellis, who began his tenure at the DuBois campus in 2010, has created a department that has grown significantly during his time in central Pennsylvania. Nellis oversaw the formation of the baseball and softball programs, as well as cross-country, to add to the existing men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball and golf programs.
The baseball team became the crown jewel of the department, capturing five PSUAC championships as well as four United States Collegiate Athletic Association Small College World Series titles since the program's inception in 2015. The four USCAA crowns all came in front of a home crowd at Showers Field, as the city of DuBois began hosting the USCAA National Championship in 2018.
Under Nellis, DuBois has won 10 PSUAC championships, including men's basketball in 2012; golf in 2013, 2017 and 2018; and most recently in softball in 2025.
A leader in the PSUAC, Nellis has chaired or served on multiple committees, including the Competition and Ethics Committee, baseball, cross-country, golf and men's basketball. His department has hosted all or parts of seven PSUAC Baseball and Softball Championships since 2018, with Nellis and his staff supporting the events.
Prior to his time at DuBois, Nellis was a wrestler for the Division I program at Clarion University before eventually becoming Clarion's head wrestling coach. A standout wrestler from the Pittsburgh area, Nellis started the wrestling program at DuBois and served as the tournament director for the USCAA Wrestling Invitational during its existence.
Nellis has led his department to five top-five Chancellor's Cup finishes since 2015, despite not offering the full complement of PSUAC championship sports. The Chancellor's Cup measures comprehensive excellence across an athletic department.
Nellis also has been recognized nationally, having been named the USCAA Administrator of the Year for his efforts hosting events and serving on committees, along with his department's athletic excellence.